It depends on the state fair. The Indiana open state fair show normally runs close to 1000 birds and it's the same players as come to normal shows. So though the trophy says "fair" doesn't mean it's a bad show. I believe they earn apa points as well. Walt can correct me on that one as it's been several years since we went.
The reason we didn't go the last two years was heat related not molt. Most birds around here aren't molting the beginning of August.